Adjustable frame for cut-off machine



Nov. 19, 1963 I P. TISHKEN I 3,111,054

ADJUSTABLE FRAME FOR CUT-OFF MACHINE Filed May 11, 1961 f 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 90 la al, a: :l: I l W Amman r 3- 29 INVENTOR.

PAUL TISHKEN e.* [BY dam/a W ATTQRNEY Nov. 19, 1963 P. TISHKEN ADJUSTABLE FRAME FOR CUT-OFF MACHINE Filed May 11, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. PAUL TISHKEN 46 BY 4s 4 ATTORNY Nov. 19, 1963 P. TISHKEN 3,111,054

ADJUSTABLE FRAME FOR CUT-OFF MACHINE ATTORNEY Nov. 19, 1963 P. TISHKEN 3,111,054

ADJUSTABLE FRAME FOR CUT-OFF MACHINE Filed May 11, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. PAU L Tl 5H KE N 4 Ga 5 BY 4% nrrozney Nov. 19, 1963 P. TISHKEN 3,111,054

ADJUSTABLE FRAME FOR CUT-OFF MACHINE Filed May 11, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. PA U L TIS H K5 N 73 15 BY W A TTO R PIE-Y Nov. 19, 1963 P. TISHKEN 3,111,054

ADJUSTABLE FRAME FOR CUT-OFF MACHINE Filed May 11, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 .v r E 1: w i u r A r U Q m u mu u mT mm R z n Q\ m. n e& w fim m 2 3 A Y N I B b 2 u l an n 8 a on 3 m n 5 E o b mh oh .E m

Nov. 19, 1963 P. TlSHKEN 3,111,054

ADJUSTABLE FRAME FOR CUT-OFF MACHINE Filed May 11, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 I' yul M INVEN TOR. PAUL Tl SH KE N BY W A-r'romla Nov. 19, 1963 Filed May 11, 1961 P. TISHKEN ADJUSTABLE FRAME FOR CUT-OFF MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR. PAUL TISHMEN BY W -W ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,111,054 ADJUSTABLE lFl iAlvlE FQR UT-0FF MACHINE Paul Tishhen, 13.00%) W 8 Mile Road, Detroit, Mich. Filed May 11, 1961, Ser. No. 109,399 28 Claims. (Q1. 83-326) This invention relates to cut'off machines for severing moving stock without interrupting the travel thereof, and particularly to machines having a frame multiply adjustable to impart versatility in accommodating the machine to operate on moving stock to which a longitudinal curve has been imparted, as by a rolling machine.

It is sometimes desired to impart a longitudinal curve to an elongated length of stock, such as a metal molding, in addition to such longitudinally extended channels and ribs as are frequently formed therein in rolling machines. In prior practice, the stock, as it emerges from a rolling machine in rectilinear form, is passed through a cut-off machine wherein it is severed into desired lengths. These are then fed individually into another machine which imparts the desired longitudinal curvature thereto.

This procedure would be considerably facilitated by an arrangement which would afford pre-forming the stock, longitudinally with a desired curvature in a rolling machine that also applies .said longitudinally extended contours, and then passing such pie-formed stock through a cut-oft machine adaptable to receive and operate upon stock having such a longitudinal curve.

An object of the invention is to provide in such a cutoff machine a frame adjustable to selective positions to allow such pre-forrned stock to pass through the machine and attord severing of such stock in desired arcuately curved lengths.

A further object is to include in such a frame, a base, a carriage tiltabiy, adjustably mounted on the base, a bracket rotatably adjustably mounted on the carriage, and a die housing tiltably adjustably mounted on the bracket, so that the various adjustments afforded the carriage, bracket, and die housing, may be coordinated to impart versatility in accommodating the machine to receive and operate on stock so pre-forrned by another machine.

Another object is to provide a carriage support whereon said carriage is adjustably mounted, and to provide an elevator vertically adjustable on the base, and to mount the carriage support for horizontal adjustment on the elevator thus contributing to said versatility.

These and various other objects are attained by the construction hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

PIG. 1 is a rear elevational view in partial section showing in dash lines a tilted position of the carriage, and taken on line 1-1 of FIG. 2, and further showing in dash lines a part of a rolling machine (A).

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing in dash lines a tilted position of the die housing.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view on line 33 of FIG. 1, showing in dash lines an alternative position established by rotating the bracket.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view on line 4-4 of FIG. 2, showing the elevator.

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view on line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view on line 6-6 of FIG. 1, showing the lower portion of the machine.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view on line 77 of FIG. 1, showing the upper portion of the machine.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal partial view in section on line 8-3 or" FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a horizontal partial view in section on line 99 of FIG. 6.

2 FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view on line lit-1t of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 11-11 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the electrical apparatus and circuits controlling the machine.

Base

In these views, the reference character 1 designates a base including a pair of spaced parallel angle bars 2 (FIGS. 1 and 4). An elongated flat bar 3 extends between and rigidly joins the rear ends of the angle bars. The rearward and central end portions of said bars are spanned by a fiat plate 4 which has its edges secured, as by welding, to the upper edges of the plate 3 and the vertical flanges 5 of said angle bars.

An inverted channel bar '6 extends between the forward end portions of the angle bars, wherein rectangular openings 7 are formed to rigidly receive the end portions of said inverted channel bar. A relatively thick elongated bar 8 surmounts said channel bar to rotatively receive the lower end portions 9 of elongated adjusting screws 10, the purpose of which is hereinafter explained. Said end portions 9 extend through the channel bar 6 to carry sprockets 11 which mount an endless chain 12 (FIGS. 4 and 6). Said sprockets resist axial motion of said screws.

The forward end of the base is formed by a rectangular rigidly upwardly projecting plate 13. Elongated guide members 14 are secured by screws 15 at the lateral marginal portions of the plate 13 to guide the up and down sliding travel of an elevator 16 (FIGS. 4, 6, and 8).

Elevator The elevator is formed of a flat plate 17 having lateral marginal flanges 18 lapped by flanges 19 formed on the guide members 14. At its marginal portions, inwardly of said flanges 18, said elevator mounts, as by screws 20, a pair of heavy lugs 21. The aforesaid adjusting screws 10 are threaded through said lugs so that rotation of said adjusting screws results in upward or downward travel of the lugs 21 with consequent sliding adjustment of the elevator plate 17 to selective positions. The chain 12 interconnecting the adjusting screws 10 by means of the sprockets 11, ensures uniform rotation of both adjusting screws when either is rotated. Such rotation may be eifected by application of a wrench or crank (not shown) to a properly prepared end portion of the screws. This is true also of subsequently mentioned adjusting screws.

To resist undesired up and down travel of the elevator, clamps 22 are respectively associated with the respective lugs 21, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 8. Screws 23 removably secure the clamps to the lugs. The end portions of the clamps engage the respective lug and the guide strip 13 when the screws 23 are tightened, thus strongly resisting said up and down travel.

Carriage Support As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, a carriage support 24 is mounted for sliding adjustment upon the plate 17 of the elevator 16 by horizontally disposed guide members 25 secured by screws 26 to said plate 17. The mounting plate 27' or the carriage support is formed with a plurality of horizontally elongated slots 27a. Screws 2-8 extend through said slots and engage in the elevator plate so that tightening said screws tends to resist horizontal sliding adjustment of the moun ing plate in the guide members 25. Another screw 29 extends through the mounting plate 27 and elevator plate 17, and through a vertical elongated slot 3i) formed in the fixed vertical plate 13 and engages a nut 31. This latter screw and nut must be loosened to afford either vertical adjustment of the elevator 16 or horizontal adjustment of the carriage support mounting plate 27.

A pair of laterally spaced parallel ribs 32 project rigidly and rearwardly from the mounting plate 27 of the carriage support. Said horizontal adjustment of the carriage support is achieved by rotation of an elongated adjusting screw 33 having threaded engagement through one of said ribs (FIG. An unthreaded portion of such rod is rotatable in a rib 34 rigidly extending from a lug 2'1, and is secured against axial movement by collars 35 flanking said rib and secured on the screw 33- by set screws 36. When screws 28 and 29 are loosened, the screw 33 may be rotated to cause the carriage support to slide horizontally to desired selective positions of adjustment on the elevator.

As best seen in FIG. 5, at their upper forward ends the ribs 32 mount identical tracks 37 of arcuate form. At their upper rearward ends, said ribs mount additional arcuately formed tracks 38 of shorter arcuate extent. At their rearward lower ends the ribs 32 are joined by a bar 39 secured as by welding between said ribs. A pair of smaller, spaced ribs 40 extend rigidly downwardly and rearwardly from the central portion of the bar 39 and are themselves rearwardly joined by a plate 41.

The plate 41 threadedly receives a screw 42 extending through a slot 43- vertically elongated in a brace 44. The flat bar 3 at the rear of the angle irons 2 is formed with a slide way 4 5. The lower end of the upright 44 rests on said slide way and is slidable thereon in conjunction with horizontal sliding adjustment of the carriage support. A bolt 46 passes through the brace 44, the flat bar 3, and a bracket 47 to be engaged by a nut 48; said bolt and nut may be tightened to resist sliding of the upright. Preferably, the bracket 47 slides with the bolt and the nut is welded to said bracket. A slot 49, horizontally elongated in said bar 3, affords such sliding of the bolt and bracket.

Carriage A carriage 50 is mounted on the carriage support. Said carriage includes a pair of spaced ribs 51 surmounted by a platform 52 secured to the ribs as by welding. At its lower forward end, each rib independently rigidly mounts a slide 53 arcuately formed for sliding travel on the tracks 37 of the carriage support. At their lower rearward ends said ribs 51 conjointly rigidly mount an arcuately elongated slide 54 for sliding travel on the rearward tracks 38.

Said sliding travel of the slides. 53, 54 upon the tracks 37 and 3-8, results in a tilting of the platform 52 laterally of the machine. Such tilting is controlled to afford adjustment of the carriage to a desired selective position. Said control is effected by use of an arcuately elongated flat bar 55, secured at its ends by screws 56 to the arcuately elongated slide 54. Arcuately elongated slots 57 are formed in the end portions of the bar 55. Said slots receive screws 58 which thread into the arcuately formed tracks 38-, and which, when tightened, resist sliding travel of the carriage slides on the tracks of the carriage support and maintain said carriage in a selected position of adjustment.

To the central portion of the arcuate bar 55 a fixed block 59 is secured, preferably by screws 5 9a. Said block projects downwardly and in its lower portion rigidly carries a forwardly projecting pin 60'. The pin engages slidably in a groove 61 elongated vertically in another block 6-2. The latter is itself keyed slidably, as at 6 3, to the bar 39, which is formed with a horizontally elongated keyway 64 to receive the key. An elongated adjusting screw 65 has threaded engagement through the block 62, and has its end portions rotatably supported at 66 and 67 and secured in any conventional manner against axial movement.

As will now be clear, with the above described arrangement, when the screws 58 are loosened, and the adjusting screw 65 is rotated, the block 62 will slide toward one side of the machine or the other, and effect a corresponding tilting of the carriage by means of the interconnection effected by the pin 60, block 59, arcuately elongated bar 55 and the arcuately elongated slide 54.

Bracket Surmounting the platform 52 is a bracket, secured thereon by a plurality of screws as extending upwardly through arcuately elongated slots 69 formed in the platform 52. Said bracket includes a flat base 76 resting on the platform and threadedly receiving said screws 63. Spaced on said base 70, and projecting upwardly therefrom are parallel side members 71. Said bracket is rotatable upon the platform 52 to selective positions of adjustment, and may be maintained in any such position by tightening of said screws 68.

To etiect rotation of the bracket, a slidable block 72 is mounted on an edge portion of the platform. Said block is formed with a key 73 slidably received in a keyway 74 formed in said edge portion. An elongated adjusting screw 75 passes through asid block in threaded engagement therewith (FIGS. 8 and 9). The ends of the screw 75 are received rotatably by mountings 76 and '77. A shoulder 78 abuts the mounting 76 and an annular rib 79 is formed on the screw 75 to prevent axial movement thereof.

The block 72 has a groove 80 formed in its upper surface to receive a pin 81 extending downwardly from a lug 82 fixed to a side member 71 of the bracket by screws 83. Thus, rotation of the axially immobile adjusting screw 75 causes the block 72 to slide in a direction corresponding to such rotation, drawing the pin 81 and lug 82 with it and consequently etfecting desired rotative adjustment of the bracket 70, 71 (FIG. 3, dash lines). The pin 81, of course, slides in the groove 80 as the block 72 moves along the keyway 74.

Die Housing A die housing 84 constitutes the upper stage of the construction. Said housing has side walls 85, 8 6, a front wall 87, a rear wall 88 and a top wall 89. Aligned pivots 90 extend through the side members 71 of the bracket and the side walls 85, 86 of the housing to mount said housing to be tiltably adjusted forwardly or rearwardly of the machine about the axis of said pivots. As best seen in FIG. 2, the side members 71 are formed with arcuate slots 91 concentric with said pivot axis. Screws 92 extend through said slots to engage in the walls of the housing. Said screws may be tightened to maintain any tilted position to which the housing may be adjusted about said pivot axis.

Said tilting adjustment is attained by a construction including a lug 93 (FIGS. 1 and 2) rearwardly extending from the upper end portion of the housing side wall 86. Said lug rotatably carries a shank 94- formed on a nut 95. Lock nuts 96 secure said shank on the lug. An elongated adjusting screw 97 is threaded through the nut, and has its lower end rotatab ly received in a flange of an angle bracket 98. A stud 99 is secured, as by welding, to the other flange of said angle bracket and extends rotatably through a lug 10% formed on the side member 711 adjacent to the side wall 86 of the housing. Lock nuts 101 secure said shank in position. Collars 102 and 103 fixed on the lower end portion of the adjusting screw resist axial movement thereof while affording the screw 97 rotation.

Thus, as seen in FIG. 2, rotation of the adjusting screw 97 causes the nut to move correspondingly up or down said screw, causing the housing 84- to tilt about the axis of the pivots 90. Such tilting of the housing causes a tilting of the adjusting screw about the pivotal axis of the shank 99. 7

Die Mechanism Extended between and rigidly supported by the side walls 85, 86, of the housing 84 is a die-support platform 104. A slide-glide 105 is secured thereon and mounts a die holder 166 which carries a lower die 107 secured to the holder by screws or the like. An upper die-support platform 198 has secured to its lower surface a slide guide 1139 which also mounts a die holder 110 to carry an opposing die 1 11. Any conventional means may be employed to secure the slide-guides to the respective platforms, and the dies to the die holders, such as screws (not shown).

To assure travel of the two die holders in unison, while affording actuation of the upper holder 1'10 toward the lower (as hereinafter explained), a pair of guide pins 112 are rigidly oppositely mounted on the lower holder 1% near its lateral margins. Such pins slidably fit within a pair of bushings 113 rigidly depending from the upper die holder 119, and are afforded a sliding travel on the pins at least equal to the working stroke of the upper die 111.

Large rectangular bosses 114 project oppositely in wardly from side walls 85, 86 to slidably receive draw rods 115 (FIGS. 5, 6, 7). Said rods are connected in pairs by arms 116, which have bosses at their central portions apertured to receive a wrist pin 117. Said wrist pin is joined by a connecting rod 118 to the crank 119 of a crank shaft 12-3, whereby reciprocatory action may be imparted to said draw rods and hence to the upper die.

Said crankshaft is rotatively actuated by an electric motor 121 pivotally mounted as at 12.2 and adjustable about said pivot by means of headed belt 123 to adjust tension in belts 124. Said belts are mounted on pulley 125 on the motor shaft, and on a flywheel 1-26 mounted on the crankshaft 1% outside the housing 84. Said flywheel turns on bearings 127, 128 mounted on a sleeve 129, the latter being fitted on the crankshaft.

Clutch Terminally, outwardly of the flywheel, the crankshaft mounts a fluid operated clutch 1 31 including a casing 131 fixed to the flywheel by screws 132 and revoluble with the flywheel. A closure 1 33 completes the casing.

Internally, the clutch includes a gear 134 keyed to the crankshaft at 135. An annular flange 136 on the end of said shaft preventsaxial escape of the gear. A driven ring gear 137 has teeth formed on its inner circumferential face and engaged with the teeth of the gear 13-4, and has limited axial sliding travel thereon. Flanking the ring gear 137 are driving ring gears 138, 139, toothed on their outer circumferential faces, and having such teeth meshed with teeth formed on an interior annular face of the casing at 1413.

The opposing lateral faces of driving gears 138, 139 may be made to engage the respective lateral faces of the driven gear 137 by means of an annular pressure plate 141. Admission of air or other fluid to an annular expansible tube 142 expands such tube. The expanding tube forces the pressure plate toward the housing to effect said engagement. As the casing is revolving with the pulley, and as the teeth at 14% are meshed with the teeth on driving ring gears 138, 139 in the casing, said ring gears are constantly revolving. The engagement of said driving ring gears with the driven ring gear 137 transmits a drive through the gear 134 to the crankshaft as long as the tube 142 is expanded. Evacuation of air from said tube relieves the frictional engagement and terminates said drive.

A fitting 1 :3 passes through the closure 133 and opens into the tube 142 to admit and evacuate said air or other fluid. Such fluid passing through a conduit 144 leading to the fitting from a revoluble fluid-sealed connection 145 fixed centrally of said closure in any convenient manner, and thence through a hydraulic system not shown.

Brake At the opposite end of the crankshaft, a similar construction is made to serve as a brake by securing its oasing 146 to the side wall 86 of the housing with screws 14W. The gear 14? is keyed to the shaft at 149, and axially retained by lock ring 159. A driven ring gear 151 has teeth on its inner circumferential face meshing with the teeth of gear 14-8. Driving ring g ars 152, 153 flank said ring gear 151, having teeth on their external circumferential surfaces meshed with teeth formed on an annular interior surface of the casing at 158..

As in the above described clutch, the opposing lateral faces of the driving ring gears 152, 153 can be brought into frictional engagement with the lateral faces of the driven ring gear 151. In this instance, however, as the casing 146 is stationary, the result of such engagement is to resist rotation of the crankshaft.

Said engagement is effected by admission of air or other fluid to an annular exp-ansible tube 155. The resultant expansion of the tube forces pressure plate 154 toward the housing, forcing the ring gears 151, 152, 153, to engage as above described. Air is admitted to and exhausted from said tube by a fitting 159 passing through the retaining plate 156, and opening into the tube and receiving air from conduit 16%.

Safety Brake Outwardly from the above described brake on the terminal portion of the shaft is mounted the annular body 161 of a safety brake. A disc 162 is received in a recess 163 of said body, and screws 164 secure the disc and body to the shaft end. On an annular rib 165i is mounted a brake lining 166, which is engageable by a split ring brake shoe 167.

A lug 16% receives a screw 169 to mount said brake shoe on a block 17%) welded or otherwise fastened to the tube retainer 156. A pair of spaced lugs 1'71 receive the threaded end of a piston rod 172 extending from an air cylinder 173. A pipe 173a, connected to an air supply source (not shown), feeds air to, and supports said cylinder. A nut 174 resists withdrawal of the shaft from the lugs 171. A coil spring 175 reacts between the lower lug 171 and a not 176, and tends to clamp the brake shoe upon the lining. As can be seen from FIG. 2, when the air cylinder 173 is energized, forcing the piston rod upwardly, the spring is compressed to relieve the clamping stress on said brake shoe 167 and afford rotation of the crankshaft 129.

Outwardly of the brake shoe an annular ring 161a is formed with a calm 161b, which upon rotation of the crankshaft, energizes limit switch LS2, with results as hereinafter explained.

Run-O Table At the rear of the die-support platform, a bracket 176 is removably mounted by screws 177. The rearward end of the bracket is formed with a hole 178 and a saw cut 179. A screw 1% may be tightened to clamp said rearward end upon a pin 1231 which supports an end of an elongated angle bar 182, being secured thereto by cross pin 133. Said angle bar extends rearw ardly and is supported at its opposite end by a pedestal 184.

Surmounting the angle bar is a slide way releasably secured thereto in any convenient manner allowing for sliding adjustment thereon. At its forward end portion, the slide way mounts a stock guide 1% having a horizontal flange 187 disposed to extend above the stock and a vertical flange 188 to guide the stock beneath said horizontal flange.

Rearwardly of said guide is a stock deflector 189, also releasably secured to the guideway in a manner to afford its sliding adjustment to desired positions. Said deflector has a vertical face 191) angled to slidahly engage the severed end of stock and deflect it from the run-off table. Said deflector further is formed with ramp 1S1.

Rearwardly of the deflector 139, a sliding push-block 192 is mounted on the slide way and slotted at 193- to pivotally mount the rearward end of an arm 1% on a pin 195. At its forward end portion, the arm carries and is supported by a roller 1%, and terminally carries a bumper block 197.

As the die-holders 1% and 111 are interconnected by the pins 112 and bushings 113, they slide as a unit. A draw rod 198 has its forward end portion secured in a block 199 fixed to the lower die holder 1%. The rearward end portion of said draw rod is adjustably secured by set screws 2%, or the like, in a hole 2131 in the pushblock 192.

The lower die holder remov ably receives and carries a transversely extending tow bar 2112 (FIG. 8). A linkage 203 has one end pivotally connected with said tow bar as at 2114, and has its other end connected at 2115 with an actuator bar 2%. Said actuator bar is laterally recessed at 207, to receive a ball 208 under tension of a spring 2139. When the bar is drawn rearwardly, the ball is cammed out of the recess by the angled end of such recess, thus compressing the spring 2&9 and slidably actuating a plunger 2111 to operate a limit switch LS1.

Operation While the run-off table is shown disposed horizontally, it will be understood that such table may be specifically disposed and constructed to accommodate stock having a predetermined arcuate, longitudinal curve imparted thereto by a rolling machine A or the like. Such stock emerges from such machine and passes through the cutoff machine, through openings 87:: and 88a in the front and rear walls of the die housing, and between the aforesaid dies. The end of such stock moves rearwardly until it contacts the bumper block 197. Said block is pushed rearwardly, along with the arm 194 and the push block 192. Thus, through the rod 198, the die assembly is drawn rearwardly at a speed equal to that of the moving stock.

By means of the coupling 202 and linkage 203, the actuator bar 2116 is drawn rearwardly until the switch LS1, normally open, is closed, energizing a solenoid S1 (FIG. 12) to operate a valve V1 (FIG. 12), to admit air to the annular tube 142 of the clutch and to the air cylinder 173, thus engaging the clutch and disengaging the safety-brake shoe 167 (the tube 155 is already exhausted of air at this point, and thus the brake 146 already disengaged). Obviously, the efiect of the foregoing occunrences is to rotate the crankshaft, bringing the upper die 111 to the lower die 1117 to sever the moving stock.

In the course of its rotation, the crankshaft brings the cam 161b into engagement with normally open switch LS2 (FIG. 12), thus closing said switch and energizing solenoid S2 to operate said valve to admit air to the annular tube 155 and apply the brake 146, and exhaust air from the cylinder 173, thus allowing the spring 175 to apply the safety brake 167, to stop rotation of the crankshaft. Said valve also emausts air from the tube 142 to disengage the clutch. The ring 161a which carries the cam 161b, is rotatably adjustable on the annular body 161 to afford stopping rotation of crankshaft in any position desired.

Electrical Diagram and Apparatus Referring now in close detail to the electrical diagram shown in FIG. 12, SW1 and SW2 are start-stop switches. SW1 need be depressed only momentarily to energize relay R1 and close contact Rla to afford a shunt around switch SW1.

.When LS1 is closed, solenoid S1 is energized to operate valve V1 as above described. When LS2 is closed, solenoid S2 is energized to operate valve V1 as above described and, also, a relay R2 is energized to open normally closed contact R2a and de-energize solenoid S1. Simultaneously, relay R3 is energized, closing normally open contact R3a to afford a holding circuit to solenoid S2, in the event that LS1 should not be opened after one revolution of the crankshaft. This could occur for example by jamming of the die holders 106 or 110 so they could not be returned by springs 211. Said springs engage lugs 212 on the lower die holder and brackets 213 mounted on forwardly elongated bars 214 supported by the die support platform 1114..

Once the holding circuit is broken, however, solenoid S2 is de-energized, allowing escape of air from the annular tube 155, so that only the safety-brake 167 holds the crankshaft from rotary motion.

A third limit switch LS3 is disposed upon the brake assembly. The brake assembly is preferably enclosed in a housing (not shown) having a hinged door (not shown). Said door holds the switch in the position shown in FIG. 12, so that the circuits may function as described above. When the door is opened, however, the switch LS3 makes the alternative contact available as per FIG. 12, de-energizing R1 and allowing opening of Rla. It also energizes solenoid S3, operating a valve V2 to evacuate all air from the pneumatic system. This allows the spring to apply the safety brake 161, 166, 167 to prevent the crank 119 from dropping of its own weight.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, an adjustable frame construction for a machine for performing die operations on moving, longitudinally pre-curved stock, said frame including a base having a front and rear end, a carriage support mounted on the base, a carriage movably mounted on the support for tilting adjustment to desired selective positions in a direction laterally of the base, means to releasably maintain said carriage in any such position; a bracket carried by and surmounting said carriage, said bracket being rotatable to desired selective positions of adjustment about an axis fixed relative to the carriage, means to releasably maintain the bracket in any such position; a die housing, means mounting said housing on the bracket for tilting thereon to desired selective positions of adjustment, said tilting being in a forwardly or rearwardly direction, means to maintain the housing in any such position; whereby the positions of the carriage, bracket and housing may be coordinated to impart versatility to the frame in accommodating the machine to receive pro-curved, elongated stock; dies disposed in said housing to operate on the stock, means in the housing to operably mount the dies, said housing being adapted to pass the stock for such operation, and means to actuate said dies to perform such operation.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, said carriage support being formed with at least one arcuate track, said carriage being formed with at least one arcuate slide received by the track and slidable thereon to afford said tilting adjustment laterally of the base, and means interconnecting said support and said carriage and actuable to effect said tilting adjustment.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, said carriage being formed with a flat face, and said bnackett being formed with a flat face, said faces abutting in rotatably sliding engagement, and means interconnecting said carriage and said bracket and actuable to effect said rotatable adjustment.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3, said bracket having a pair of spaced, parallel plates projecting upwandly, said :die housing being formed with spaced parallel side members, pivot means mounting said respective side members to said respective plates to afford said tilting adjustment of said bracket, and means interconnecting the die housing and the bracket and actuable to effect said tilting adjustment.

5. In the combination as set forth in claim 4, an elevator mounted on said base, means mounting said carriage support on said elevator for horizontal sliding travel thereon laterally of the machine to selective positions, means interconnecting said elevator and said carriage support and actuable to effect said horizontal travel, and means to resist or afford said travel.

6. The combination as set forth in claim'S, said elevator being adjustable on said base in up and down travel to desired selective positions, means interconnecting said base and said elevator and actuable to effect said up and down travel to desired selective positions, and means to releasablv maintain any such position.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6, said elevator including a plate having opposite side portions, lugs rigidly projecting outwardly from said side portions, said means interconnecting the base and the elevator being substantially vertical elongated threaded rods extending through said lugs in threaded engagement therewith, and having their lower end portions so rotatably received in the base as to resist axial movement of said rods, thus affording up or down travel of the elevator upon rotation of said rods.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7, said base including a substantially vertically upwardly projecting plate, said elevator plate being mounted thereon for said up and down travel, guide means on said plate to retain and guide the elevator plate in said travel, a clamp releasably engageable with a lug and with said guide means to resist said travel of the plate, and means mounting the clamp on a lug and actuable to effect said releasable engagement.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 1, said carriage being formed with a flat face, and said bracket being formed with a flat face, said faces abutting in rotat-- ably sliding engagement, and means interconnecting said carriage and said bracket and actuable to effect said rotatable adjustment.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 1, said bracket having a pair of spaced, parallel plates projecting upwardly, said die housing being formed with spaced parallel side members, pivot means mounting said respective side members to said respective plates to afford said tilting adjustment of said bracket, and means interconnecting the die housing and the bracket and actuable to effect said tilting adjustment.

11. In the combination as set forth in claim 1, an elevator mounted on said base, means mounting said carriage support on said elevator for horizontal sliding travel thereon laterally of the machine to selective positions, means interconnecting said elevator and said carriage support and actuable to effect said horizontal travel, and means to resist or afford said travel.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11, said elevator being adjustable on said base in up and down travel to desired selective positions, means interconnecting said base and said elevator and actuable to effect said up and down travel to desired selective positions, and means to releasably maintain any such position.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 12, said elevator including a plate having opposite side portions, lugs rigidly projecting outwardly from said side portions, said means interconnecting the base and the elevator being substantially vertical elongated threaded rods extending through said lugs in threaded engagement therewith, and having their lower end portions so rotatably received in the base as to resist axial movement of said rods, thus affording up or down travel of the elevator upon rotation of said rods.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 13, said base including a substantially vertically upwardly projecting plate, said elevator plate being mounted thereon for said up and down travel, guide means on said plate to retain and guide the elevator plate in said travel, a clamp releasably engageable with a lug and with said guide means to resist said travel of the plate, and means mounting the clamp on a lug and actuable to effect said releasable engagement.

15. In combination, an adjustable frame construction for a machine for performing die operations on moving, longitudinally pre-curved stock, said frame including a base having a front and rear end, a carriage support mounted on the base, a carriage movably mounted on the support for tilting adjustment to desired selective positions in a direction laterally of the base, means to releasably maintain said carriage in any such position; a bracket carried by and surmounting said carriage, said bracket being rotatable to desired selective positions of adjustment about an axis fixed relative to the carniage, means to releasably maintain the bracket in any such position; a die housing, means mounting said housing on the bracket for tilting thereon to desired selective positions of adjustment, said tilting being in a forwardly or rear- Wardly direction, means to maintain the housing in any such position; whereby the positions of the carriage, bracket and housing may be coordinated to impart versatility to the frame in accommodating the machine to receive pre-curved, elongated stock; dies disposed in said housing to operate on the stock, sliding means slidably mounted in the housing to operably mount said dies and having reciprocable sliding travel to carry the dies back and forth along the path of stock travel, means to drive said sliding means in said reciprocable travel, and means to effect operation of said dies in the course of said travel.

16. The combination as set forth in claim 15, said carriage support being formed with at least one arcuate track, said carriage being formed with at least one armate slide received by the track and slidable thereon to afford said tilting adjustment laterally of the base, and means interconnecting said support and said carriage and actuable to effect said tilting adjustment.

17. The combination as set forth in claim 16, said carriage being formed with a flat face, and said bracket being formed with a flat face, said faces abutting in rotatably sliding engagement, and means interconnecting said carriage and said bracket and actuable to effect said rotatable adjustment.

18. The combination as set forth in claim 17, said bracket having a pair of spaced, parallel plates projecting upwardly, said die housing being formed with spaced parallel side members, pivot means mounting said respective side members to said respective plates to afford said tilting adjustment of said bracket, and means interconnecting the die housing and the bracket and actuable to effect said tilting adjustment.

19. In the combination as set forth in claim 18, an elevator mounted on said base, means mounting said carriage support on said elevator for horizontal sliding travel thereon laterally of the machine to selective positions, means interconnecting said elevator and said carriage support and actuable to effect said horizontal travel, and means to resist or afford said travel.

20. The combination as set forth in claim 19, said elevator being adjustable on said base in up and down travel to desired selective positions, means interconnecting said base and said elevator and actuable to effect said up and down travel to desired selective positions, and means to releasably maintain any such position.

21. The combination as set forth in claim 20, said elevator including a plate having opposite side portions, lugs rigidly projecting outwardly frbm said side portions, said means interconnecting the base and the elevator being substantially vertical elongated threaded rods extending through said lugs in threaded engagement therewith, and having their lower end portions so rotatably received in the base as to resist axial movement of said rods, thus affording up or down travel of the elevator upon rotation of said rods.

22. The combination as set forth in claim 21, said base including a substantially vertically upwardly projecting plate, said elevator plate being mounted thereon for said up and down travel, guide means on said plate to retain and guide the elevator plate in said travel, a clamp releasably 'engageable with a lug and with said. guide means to resist said travel of the plate, and means mounting the clamp on a lug and actuable to effect said releasable engagement.

23. The combination as set forth in claim 15, said carriage being formed with a flat face, and said bracket being formed with a ilat face, said faces abutting in rotatably sliding'engagement, and means interconnecting said carriage and said bracket and act-uable to effect said rotatable adjustment.

24. The combination as set forth in claim 15, said bracket having a pair of spaced, parallel plates projecting upwardly, said die housing being formed with spaced parallel side members, pivot means mounting said respective side members to said respective plates to afford said tilting adjustment of said bracket, and means interconnecting the die housing and the bracket and actuab le to effect said tilting adjustment.

25. The combination as set forth in claim 15, an elevator mounted on said base, means mounting said carniage support on said elevator for horizontal sliding travel thereon laterally of the machine to selective positions, means interconnecting said elevator and said carriage support and actuable to effect said horizontal travel, and means to resist or afford said travel.

26. The combination as set forth in claim 15, said elevator being adjustable on said base in up and down travel to desired selective positions, means interconnecting said base and said elevator and actuable to effect said up and down travel to desired selective positions, and means to releasably maintain any such position.

27. The combination as set forth in claim 15, said elevator including a plate having opposite side portions, lugs rigidly projecting outwardly from said side portions, said means interconnecting the base and the elevator being substantially vertical elongated threaded rods extending through said lugs in threaded engagement therewith, and having their lower end portions so rotatably received in the base as to resist axial movement of said rods, thus affording up or down travel of the elevator upon rotation of said rods.

28. The combination as set forth in claim 15, said base including a substantially vertically upwardly projecting plate, said elevator plate being mounted thereon for said up and down travel, guide means on said plate to retain and guide the elevator plate in said travel, a clamp releasably engageable with a lug and with said guide means to resist said travel of the plate, and means mounting the clamp on a lug and actuable to effect said releasable engagement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,554,540 Maussnest Mar. 6, 1951 

15. IN COMBINATION, AN ADJUSTABLE FRAME CONSTRUCTION FOR A MACHINE FOR PERFORMING DIE OPERATIONS ON MOVING, LONGITUDINALLY PRE-CURVED STOCK, SAID FRAME INCLUDING A BASE HAVING A FRONT AND REAR END, A CARRIAGE SUPPORT MOUNTED ON THE BASE, A CARRIAGE MOVABLY MOUNTED ON THE SUPPORT FOR TILTING ADJUSTMENT TO DESIRED SELECTIVE POSITIONS IN A DIRECTION LATERALLY OF THE BASE, MEANS TO RELEASABLY MAINTAIN SAID CARRIAGE IN ANY SUCH POSITION; A BRACKET CARRIED BY AND SURMOUNTING SAID CARRIAGE, SAID BRACKET BEING ROTATABLE TO DESIRED SELECTIVE POSITIONS OF ADJUSTMENT ABOUT AN AXIS FIXED RELATIVE TO THE CARRIAGE, MEANS TO RELEASABLY MAINTAIN THE BRACKET IN ANY SUCH POSITION; A DIE HOUSING, MEANS MOUNTING SAID HOUSING ON THE BRACKET FOR TILTING THEREON TO DESIRED SELECTIVE POSITIONS OF ADJUSTMENT, SAID TILTING BEING IN A FORWARDLY OR REARWARDLY DIRECTION, MEANS TO MAINTAIN THE HOUSING IN ANY SUCH POSITION; WHEREBY THE POSITIONS OF THE CARRIAGE, BRACKET AND HOUSING MAY BE COORDINATED TO IMPART VERSATILITY TO THE FRAME IN ACCOMMODATING THE MACHINE TO RECEIVE PRE-CURVED, ELONGATED STOCK; DIES DISPOSED IN SAID HOUSING TO OPERATE ON THE STOCK, SLIDING MEANS SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN THE HOUSING TO OPERABLY MOUNT SAID DIES AND HAVING RECIPROCABLE SLIDING TRAVEL TO CARRY THE DIES BACK AND FORTH ALONG THE PATH OF STOCK TRAVEL, MEANS TO DRIVE SAID SLIDING MEANS IN SAID RECIPROCABLE TRAVEL, AND MEANS TO EFFECT OPERATION OF SAID DIES IN THE COURSE OF SAID TRAVEL. 